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Brentwood's Bristow Middle School Choir performs at Sacramento Kings game

By Trine GallegosFor the Contra Costa Times

Posted:
03/11/2014 05:31:49 PM PDT

Updated:
03/11/2014 05:31:49 PM PDT

The Bristow Middle School Choir shined with a performance of the "Star-Spangled Banner" at a recent Sacramento Kings game.

"They sang beautifully," Mark Morello, choir director, said.

This is the Brentwood choir's second time singing the national anthem at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.

"It was such an honor to be invited back, and especially getting the opportunity to sing for a sold-out crowd. The students were so excited and sounded great. For most of them, it was their first NBA game."

But, Morello and his talented bunch aren't resting on their laurels. Instead, they have a full spring schedule ahead of them, including singing the national anthem at the Golden State Warriors game on March 20. The sixth-grade cadet band will be "on tour" at three elementary schools on April 1; the wind ensemble and choir will participate in a music festival at Six Flags on April 26; and the school's spring concert, featuring the jazz band, choir, cadet band and wind ensemble, will be May 13.

SUPER SCIENCE STUDENTS: The Brentwood Union School District recently held its science fair.

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A solid number of talented students competed in the annual event. The grand-prize winners were Saskia Straub, fifth grade, Krey, with "Your Toothbrush: A Silent Killer; and Cole White, fifth grade, Pioneer, with "Effects of Temperature on Voltage Output of a Solar Cell."

BOOK SMART: Carmen Dragon Elementary hosted author David M. Schwartz last month. Schwartz, who penned "How Much is a Million?," led three one-hour presentations to the Antioch students.

According to his site, Schwartz has written nearly 50 books. "I spend much of my time finding unusual, whimsical ways to make science come alive for kids and teachers through my writing and speaking at schools ..."

Jennifer Wilson, PTA president, said the assemblies were well-received.

"He told them how as a child he used to wonder about things like big numbers and how far he could jump if he could jump like a frog."

Schwartz brought to life his "On Beyond a Million," which features a group of students trying to count all the popcorn overflowing as the school popper won't shut off.

During his presentation, Schwartz shared that book and discussed counting. Then he brought out bags of popcorn in 10s, 100s and so on.

"He asked them if they thought he had 10,000 or 100,000 or even a million," she said. "It was really fun to see how excited the kids got."